DNA & Ancestry Tools

Explore how DNA testing and digital tools complement traditional genealogy research.

Centimorgans Explained: Reading Shared DNA to Understand Cousin Relationships
DNA & Ancestry Tools

Centimorgans Explained: Reading Shared DNA to Understand Cousin Relationships

Learn what centimorgans are, how they're measured, and why the same cM value can point to several different relationship types.

By Genealogy Search Editorial Team · 8 min · Jan 28, 2024
DNA and Digital Records Together: An End-to-End Guide to Modern Family History Research
DNA & Ancestry Tools

DNA and Digital Records Together: An End-to-End Guide to Modern Family History Research

A comprehensive look at how DNA testing, digitised archives, and online tools work together to verify and extend your family history discoveries.

By Genealogy Search Editorial Team · 9 min · Feb 18, 2024
Ethnicity Estimates vs. DNA Matches: Two Very Different Tools in One Report
DNA & Ancestry Tools

Ethnicity Estimates vs. DNA Matches: Two Very Different Tools in One Report

Ethnicity percentages and cousin matches come from the same test but serve very different research purposes. Here's how to use each correctly.

By Genealogy Search Editorial Team · 6 min · Oct 7, 2025
Evaluating the Reliability of Ethnicity Estimates
DNA & Ancestry Tools

Evaluating the Reliability of Ethnicity Estimates

Ethnicity percentages vary across providers and update over time. Here's what shapes those figures and how much weight to give them in your research.

By Genealogy Search Editorial Team · 7 min · Apr 25, 2026
Genetic Genealogy From the Ground Up
DNA & Ancestry Tools

Genetic Genealogy From the Ground Up

New to DNA-based family research? This guide explains the core concepts, test types, and first steps for turning results into a useful family tree.

By Genealogy Search Editorial Team · 8 min · Jan 8, 2026
How DNA Testing Fits Into Traditional Genealogy Research
DNA & Ancestry Tools

How DNA Testing Fits Into Traditional Genealogy Research

Understand how DNA test results complement paper records, census data, and oral history to build a more complete family tree.

By Genealogy Search Editorial Team · 9 min · Oct 2, 2023
Key Terms Every Genetic Genealogist Should Know
DNA & Ancestry Tools

Key Terms Every Genetic Genealogist Should Know

From haplogroups to endogamy, a practical glossary of the genetic genealogy vocabulary that appears most often in test reports and research communities.

By Genealogy Search Editorial Team · 7 min · Feb 13, 2026
Privacy Trade-Offs When You Submit a DNA Sample for Family Research
DNA & Ancestry Tools

Privacy Trade-Offs When You Submit a DNA Sample for Family Research

Sharing your DNA affects more than just you. A balanced look at the privacy considerations involved in consumer genealogy testing.

By Genealogy Search Editorial Team · 6 min · May 29, 2024
Shared Matches and Clustering: Making Sense of a Large DNA Match List
DNA & Ancestry Tools

Shared Matches and Clustering: Making Sense of a Large DNA Match List

Hundreds of DNA matches can feel overwhelming. Clustering groups related matches together so you can identify family lines more systematically.

By Genealogy Search Editorial Team · 8 min · May 23, 2024
The DNA Toolkit for Brick-Wall Ancestors
DNA & Ancestry Tools

The DNA Toolkit for Brick-Wall Ancestors

When records run dry, DNA techniques like clustering and triangulation can open new research paths. Here are the methods genealogists rely on.

By Genealogy Search Editorial Team · 7 min · Jun 7, 2024
Transferring Raw DNA Data Between Databases: A Practical Walkthrough
DNA & Ancestry Tools

Transferring Raw DNA Data Between Databases: A Practical Walkthrough

Many DNA databases accept uploads from other providers. Learn how data transfers work, what carries over, and what to check before uploading.

By Genealogy Search Editorial Team · 6 min · Dec 5, 2024
Using Online Digitised Records Alongside DNA Evidence
DNA & Ancestry Tools

Using Online Digitised Records Alongside DNA Evidence

Census images, ship manifests, and vital records gain new meaning when paired with DNA data. Learn how to cross-reference both source types effectively.

By Genealogy Search Editorial Team · 7 min · Sep 5, 2025
What Genealogy DNA Tests Cannot Tell You
DNA & Ancestry Tools

What Genealogy DNA Tests Cannot Tell You

DNA testing has real limits. This article explains what results can't prove—and why that matters for accurate family history research.

By Genealogy Search Editorial Team · 6 min · Feb 16, 2026
When DNA Results Contradict Your Paper Trail
DNA & Ancestry Tools

When DNA Results Contradict Your Paper Trail

Unexpected DNA matches happen. Here's how to interpret conflicts between test results and documented family records without jumping to conclusions.

By Genealogy Search Editorial Team · 5 min · May 21, 2025